Fender for cars



No. 6|9,989. Patented Feb. 21, I899. V. PFAFF.

FENDER FOR CARS, LOCOMOTIVES. &c.

(Application filed Aug. 26. 1897.1

5 Sheets8heei I.

(No Modem "m: NORRIS PETERS c0 Pucvmu'mo" WASHINGTQN, m 0.,

No; 6l9,989. Patented Feb. 2|, I899.

V. PFAFF.

FENDER FOR CARS, LOCOMOTIVES, 8w.

(Application filed Aug. 26, 1897.; (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

THE mums Pzrzas cov PnoTo-umo" WASHINGTON, '0. c4

N0. 6|9,989. Patented -Feb. 2|, I899. V. PFAFF.

FENDER FOR BARS, LOCOMOTIVES, &c. (Application filed Aug. 26, 1897.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

5%. I a I U Huh 7 1 1+ 50 .6: 5 5L 5 E /li Z? 61 1 |:1 6

wi/Uvwme/s. v JWJWM N 6l9 989. I899.

o v. PFAFF' Patented Feb 21,

FENDER FOR CARS, LOCOMOTIVES, 8w.

(Application filed Aug. 26, 1897.)

5 SheetsSheet 4.

(No Model.)

THE nonm's PETERS co. PnoTo-urwa. WASHINGTON, n. c.

N0. 6l9,989. Ra-tented-l-' eb.- 24, 1899.

V. PFAFF.

FENDER FOR CARS+ LOCOMOTIVES, 8w. 1

(Application filed Aug. 26 1897.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheet's-Sheet 5.

UNITED I STATES j PATENT OFFICE.

VALENTINE PFAFF, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FENDER FOR CARS, LOCOMOTIVES, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,989, dated February 21, 1899. A Application filed August 26, 1897. Serial No. 649,631. (No model.)

ing the fact that if a body is met by a rapidly-' moving car or analogous structure and there is nothing to offset the impact it will at first be hurled away upon being struck and most always be run over afterward and mangled before the car can be brought to a stop; but if the bodyis caught on opposite sides between some object and the moving car so it may not slip away then it' maybe carried along without being knocked down, ridden upon, or mutilated, and will therefore be saved from injury until such time as'it can be released. My observations in this matter have led me to the conclusion that in order to be efiective a car-fender must first of all seize and retain hold of the body that it meets. This is the principle upon which my invention is based. In applying this principle my aim has been to produce a fender that can be easily constructed, is automatic in action, and will be perfectly reliable at all times.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed in five sheets for a detailed explanation of the best mode in which I contemplate applying the principle of my said invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the latest improved form of fender made by me, the working parts thereof being set ready for action. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same form of fender, also set for action, the section being from the line 2 2 of Fig. 7, described hereinafter. Fig. 3 is a side elevation like Fig. 1, but partly in section and showing the fender sprung, with a dummy thereon to illustrate how a body is caught and picked up by the fender when in operation. Fig. 4E isa detailed view supplementary to Fig. 3, showing certain levers omitted in said last-named figure. Fig. 5 is a plan, partly broken, of one form of grapple used said fender.

in connection with and forming part of my Fig. 6 is a side view of the same form of grapple as is shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a complete fender constructed as shown in thepreceding figures.

embodying the principle of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the modified form of fender shown at Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the same modified form of fender, showing its working parts set for action. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, partly in section, which is taken from the line 12 12 of Fig. 9, looking to the left. Fig. 13 is a side elevation like Fig. 11, with the working parts sprung. Fig. 14 is a broken sectional elevation taken from theline 14 14 of Fig. 9, looking to the right or opposite to the section-line of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a detail of the locking mechanism provided for the form of fender represented by Figs. 9 to 14. Fig.

16 is a side elevation representing my fender as applied to a cable-car and showing how it can be connected with additional mechanism that would operate to throw the grip oif the cable and put on the brakes whenever said fender would be forced into action. Fig. 17 is a detail of such additional mechanism. Fig. 18 is a plan and section of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 17, the section being through line 18 18 of said Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a side elevation illustrating my fender applied to an electric car and combined with additional mechanism that will operate when the fender is sprung to stop the car by reversing the controlling mechanism of its motor. Fig. 20 is an enlarged front elevation of the controlling device shown in Fig. 19 and of the mechanism through which it can be reversed from the fender.

Similar letters and figures of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout the various views aforedescribed.

As shown in the said drawings, my invention comprises one or more aprons, (designated by the letter of reference A.) In the form of fender illustrated by Figs. 1 .to 8 I have employed but one such apron, whereas in the form of fender represented by Figs. 9 to 15 two aprons are used. This, however, is only Fig. 8 is a top view of the construction repa matter of preference, as one, two, or more aprons may be used with either form of fender.

Referring particularly to the construction illustrated by the first eight views, the apron A therein represented is composed of curved timbers or bars 2, joined by spaced slats 3 and bolts 4, and is hung by rings or staples 5 on a rock-shaft B, extending across the front of the car 0. The shaft B is held parallel with the front of the car at a short distance from its dashboard by means of bars 6, projected forwardly from the side posts 7 and having suitable bearings 8, wherein the said shaft is fitted. The apron A is hung in such a way that its bottom edge will clear the rails D in its lowest position. Its oiiice is to receive the impact of any body or obstruction falling or lying in its path and pick it up in conjunction with either of the grapples hereinafter described. For this purpose the said apron is arranged to be swung forward and upward by the rock-shaft 13, also as more particularly described hereinafter. Such swinging of the apron by the rock-shaft may be effected either directly or indirectly, as preferreddireetly by having the apron rigidly tied or fastened to the rock-shaft, indirectly by having the apron hung loose, but within reach of curved arms 9, rigidly secured to the rock-shaft and adapted when the latter is turned in the position represented in Fig. 3 to come into contact with the bottom part of the apron and carry it up.

The rock-shaft B has a normal tendency to swing up the apron A, as shown in Fig. 3, whether said apron be tied or loose on it, and this tendency is imparted to it by either weight or spring power or by the combination of spring and weight power, as one may prefer. Thus in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8 weights are used to gain this end, whereas in the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 15 springs are employed to accomplish the same result; but it will be observed that springs may be substituted for the weights and weights for the springs wherever the same are used without departing from the principle of my invention, and that the number of such weights and springs is also a matter of choice.

In the fender represented by Figs. 1 to 8 weight-power is utilized, as above stated, to cause the rock-shaft to turn, so as to secure the swinging of the apron thereto connected. One, two, or more weights 10 may be employed to do this, two being shown in the drawings. These weights are bored centrally and slipped on rectangular bars 11, projected rearwardly from the rock-shaft B, to which the said bars 11 are secured by hubs 12, formed on their outer ends, and by set-screws 13, passing through said hubs. The weights 10 are kept in place and prevented from slipping off the bars 11 by screw-rods 11, which are made to engage each a suitable thread either in the top or side of said weights and to press on said bars. The outer ends of these rods 11 are bent laterally or at right angles to theirscrew portion, as shown, in order to form handles 15, by means of which the weights 10 may be raised, and with them the bars 11, to the position represented in Figs. 2, 7 ,and S. \Vhen the weights 10 are thus raised, the rock-shaft B is caused to turn, so as to draw back the curved arms 9 and allow the apron A to hang down in a substantially vertical position. On the contrary, when the weights 10 are dropped to the position shown in Fig. 3, the shaft B is made to turn in an opposite direction, and the arms 9 thereof operate to swing the apron A forward and upward.

Normally the apron A is kept down in position to meet a body or obstruction, and the weights 10 are held up at the inner ends of the bars 11 in order to bring about the forward and upward movement of the apron upon the meeting of such body or obstruction by turning the shaft B, as in Figs. 1,2, 7, and 8, and looking it in place so as to prevent it from turning again the opposite way until the body or obstruction is met. This is accomplished by providing the rock-shaft B with one, two, or more stops 16 on its rear surface and keeping the same raised by levers E, provided on the inside of either or both the said bars 6. The levers E are fulcrumed at 17 and have each their shorter arm brought under the stop 16 to be found opposite on the shaft I). The longer arm of each of said levers carries a link 18, adapted to be engaged and drawn down by the shorter arm of a second lever F, fulcrumed at 19 farther back on the bars 6, and the longer arm of which has a pin 20 made to engage a notch 21 in a catch G. One such catch is provided 011 each bar 6, to which it is secured by a screw or pin 22 and from which it hangs, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 7, the lower end of each catch G being turned outward and arranged to contact with the apron A when the latter is kept suspended in its normal position. Each catch G is so secured to its bar 6 that it will keep the pin 20 of either lever F engaged when the apron is at rest, and therefore hold the shaft 13 in a locked position; but it will also yield or swing back when the apron encounters an obstruction, and by letting go the pin 20 release the lovers F and E,unlock the rock-shaft,and allow the weights 10 to turn the latter and swing the apron forward and upward, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The two catches G may be joined by a transverse rod, (not shown,) if desired, to insure their safer working.

In connection with the apron, whichever form it may be given and whether operated by the force of a weight or of a spring or of the two combined and whether one, two, or several such aprons are employed, I use one or more grapples, (designated herein by the letter of reference 11,) and the object of which is to grasp the body or obstruction that is met by the apron or aprons at the same time or rather before the said apron or aprons are swung forward and upward to pick up the said body or obstruction. Two forms of such grapples are shown herein,which forms may be used interchangeably with obvious modifications.

In Figs. 1 to 8 is shown a grapple H, con-' sisting of a curved arm pivotally connected with the upper part of the rock-shaft B, so as to swing thereon forwardly in a plane that is at right angles to the plane of oscillation of the apron A. Such an arm may be arranged to swing either from right to left or from left to right, as deemed expedient, if used single; but I prefer using several such arms or grapples and to dispose the same in pairs, the members of a pair working jointly and oppositely one to the other and being arranged to cross each other, so that each pair will operate to grasp and embrace a body about in the manner represented in Fig. 3. Where several pairs of grapples are used, I arrange them so that one grapple in each pair will be above the adjoining grapple of the next pair when swung back, as illustrated in Fig. 7, thus preventing any interference between the grapples of any pair in their movements about their pivots. The joint of the several grap ples, with the shaft B, may be made in various ways, but that represented in the drawin gs is considered as practical as any, the same consisting of a collar 23, passed over the shaft B and having an upwardly-projecting pivot-pin 24 entering a suitable hole formed in the butt-end ,of the grapples H, which is kept down on said pivot-pin by a washer 25 and a key 26. Each grapple is subject to the action of a weight 27, which gives it a constant tendency to swing on its pivot as if to close upon and around an object; but this tendency is checked normally by a Weighted stop J, pivoted to a collar 28, slipped on the shaft 13. The weight 27 is suspended from the lower end of a chain 29, which is fastened to an eye 30, formed on the pivoted end of each grapple, and runs in a groove 31 around said pivoted end and thence is led over a pulley 2, journaled on a bracket 33, projected rearwardly from the shaft B. The stop J has two hooks 34 and 35, respectively adapted to engage and hold back one grapple in each pair when the weight 36 of said stop is in its lowermost position, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The weight 36 is attached to one end of the stop J by a chain 37. Each pair of grapples used is released to permit it to clutch a body by raising the weighted end of the stop engaging it, which is effected in the form of fender now under consideration by means of a trigger K. This trigger consists of an arm pivotally connected with the shaft 13 and having a shoulder 38 at the rear thereof contacting with the weighted end of the stop J, as indicated in Fig. 2. From the shoulder 38 the trigger-arm is extended down a suitable distance and thence passed between the bolts 4 of the apron A and brought forward of the said apron, where it is made to hold a cross-bar 39, covered on its outer surface with corrugated rubber or other soft material 40. The bar 39 runs parallel with the lower front portion of the apron in such a position as will cause the said bar to meet first a body lying or falling in the way of the car with which the fender is provided. Upon meeting such body the bar 39 pushes back the trigger-arm K, and by raising the shoulder 38 thereof and the weighted end of the stop J, resting on it, operates to disengage the hooks 34 and 35 from the grapples and leave the latter free to seize the body and hold it while the apron is swung forward and upward to pick it up. By preference the bar 39 is made triangular in cross-section and placed so that its outer surface will be substantially in line with the outer surface of the apron when said bar is pushed back, as in Fig. 3, in order to afiord a proper support for the body. Three bars 39 are shown in the drawings as being connected with as many triggers K, adapted to release the several pairs of grapples H; but the number of such bars, like that of the grapples and the triggers, is optionalthat is to say, one or more bars 39 may be used, as deemed advisable. Let it be noted here also that springs may be substituted for the weights of the stops that are moved by the triggers and likewise for the weights of the grapples engaged by said stops, as all this is within the scope of my invention. Another change which will suggest itself would be to make the weights 27, that work the grapples, sufficiently heavy to enable the brackets 33 to rock the shaft B, so the weights 10 could be dispensed with.

In order to insure a tighter grip of the grapples on the body seized and held thereby and guard against the release of the same, I provide each grapple with a pawl-and-ratchet locking device which is arranged to come to an operative position as soon as a grapple is called into action.

In the case of the grapples comprised in the fender shown in Figs. 1 to 8 the locking device aforesaid consists of a fixed wheel or disk 41, placed or formed on the collar 23 at .the base of the pivot-pin 24, under the butt end of each grapple H, and having teeth 42 on its periphery, which teeth are adapted to be engaged by a spring-pressed pawl 43, carried by each grapple. The teeth 42 are so located that the pawl 43 will ride on a smooth part of the fixed ratchet-wheel when the grapple above it is forced back; but when the grapple swings forward to clutch an object the spring 44 of the pawl will press it into engagement with said teeth, and thereby operate to tighten the grip of said grapple on the object.

In addition to the weights or springs employed in my fender to rock the shaft B and which operate to hold the apron up with the body thereon I also use supplementary mechanism to keep the said rock-shaft looked after the fender has been sprung in order to prevent possible and unnecessary oscillation of the body and apron and to have them in a fixed position. The supplementary mechanism above referred to consists in the form of fender shown in Figs. 1 to 8 of a springpressed bolt L, held in suitable lugs 45 on one of the side bars 6 and adapted to enter a hole 46, made in a collar 47, carried by one end of the shaft B. The collar 17 is so placed on the shaft B that when said shaft is rocked by the weights 10 the hole 46 will come into the position required to allow the bolt L to be shot into it by the spring 48, wrapped around said bolt, thereby stopping further movementof the rock-shaft and causing the apron connected with it to stay up, as in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring now to the modified form of fender illustrated by Figs. 9 to 15 it will be observed that all the principal parts hereinabove described are found in this fender also, if not in the identical form represented in Figs. 1 to 8, at least in the equivalent of it. Thus we have the apron A, with its curved timbers or bars 2, spaced slats 3, and one or more bolts 4:, and suspended by rings or staples 5 from a rock-shaft B, suitably held in front of the car 0 by means of bars 6. The only practical departure here from the construction hereinbefore described is that two aprons A are used in the present instance, the same being in line or side by side, but independently movable one from the other. This necessitates making also the shaft B in two sectionsthat is, using two rock-shafts, one to move each apron. These two shafts or sections of shaft B are fitted, like in the other case, in bearings 8 of bars 6, two such bars being run from the side posts 7 of the dashboard of the car 0 and an extra one from the middle of said dashboard, which extra bar affords a bearing for the inner ends of the shaft-sections at the point where they come together. The two aprons are otherwise made to operate and fill the same office as the single apron of the other form of fender. It is optional here also to have the two aprons rigidly secured to their respective rock-shafts or to have them loosely hung thereon and swung forward and upward through the agency of curved arms 9 in the manner heretofore explained.

The weights 10, previously described, are replaced in the modified form of my fender by spiral springs a9, which are used to bring about the rocking of either section of shaft B and the swinging of the apron thereto attached whenever an obstruction is met, as alreadystated. One,two,ormore such springs may be used for this purpose, as desired, two being shown in the drawings for each section of the rock-shaft. One end of each spring 49 is attached to an arm 50, rigidly secured to a rock-shaft section, and the other end of it is attached to a rod 51 or other fixed point under or about the car 0. Springs of sufficient strength are employed,whether one,two, or more are applied to each shaft-section, through the arms 50 thereof, to keep the same,

if unopposed, in the position represented in Fig. 13, with the apron up.

In the form of fender shown in Figs. 9 to 15 the aprons A are made to hang down normally in a substantially vertical position and ready to swing forward and upward, as in the fender first described, by keeping the springs 49 stretched or pulled out,- which is effected by providing the two shaft-sections B with stops 16 on their rear surface and resting said stops upon one end of spring-actuated bolts M, as shown in detail in Fig. 15, thereby locking the rock-shafts B. These bolts take the place here of the levers E and coaoting parts employed for a similar purpose in the other form of fender. As shown, the said bolts M are placed in lugs 52, secured to one side of the bars 6, and are pressed outward under the stops 16 by spiral springs 53, wrapped around them in a well-known manner. The bolts M are retracted to unlock either rock-shaft section and allow either apron to swing forward and upward upon meeting a body or obstruction by means of a key or retracting-rod 54, projecting downwardly from their inner end and arranged to come in contact each with one of the two aprons. When the aprons meet a body or obstruction, they are naturally moved back a little, and the contacting keys are then forced to retract the locking-bolts, thus freeing the shaft-sections B, controlled by them, and permitting the springs 49 to exert their power on the arms 50 of said shaft-sections to rock or turn the same to the desired extent and bring the aprons up, or either of them, as the case may be, into the position shown in Fig. 13.

The grapple H, used in connection with each apron of the modified form of fender now being considered, consists of a curved arm somewhat similar to that employed with the other fender and, like it, pivotally connected with a rock-shaft, though arranged to swing in a diiferent plane. As will be seen by reference to Figs. 9 to 14, the grapple-arm therein represented is formed with a hub 56, that is slipped on a shaft-section B and causes said grapple-arm when moved to swing in a vertical plane, whereas the grapple-arm of the other fender is arranged to swing in a substantiall y horizontal plane, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8. The result is, however, the same in both cases, since in each case the grapple will close upon or oppositely to the front part of the apron and cooperate therewith in picking up a body. The grapple of the modified fender terminates in a rectangular board, plate, or frame 57, which may be padded or covered with soft material where it will bear on the body that it is intended to clutch. By preference this part 57 is curved and set with its concave side up, as shown. As many such grapples may be used as may be found expedient, though it is thought one is enough for each rock-shaft section. Each grapple is held back or up in position on its own shaftsection, ready to seize an object to 'be met, by means of a lever 58, pivoted to one side of the grapple-arm so as to hang down from it and having a suitable notch engaging a stop 59, provided on the rear surface of the shaftsection with which said grapple-arm is con nected. This lever is bent at its lower end, as shown, so it may be met and pushed away and disengaged from the stop 59 by a finger or similar pushing device 60, projected from the rear surface of the apron suspended in front of said lever whenever an obstruction is met by said apron. The backward movement of the apron upon meeting the obstruction, it will be seen, is utilized in this instance to liberate the grapple and cause it to drop upon and seize the obstruction. The trigger mechanism of the other fender is thus here dispensed with, and it will be understood that it may also be dispensed with in the other fender as well without departing from myinvention, since I show the means of doing so. The weight of the grapple-arm and piece 57 thereon will be sufficient to bring the same down on the object to be seized. Still in order to quicken this downward movement of the grapple I apply to it, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a spiral spring 61, one end of which bears on the grapple-arm and the other end of which is wrapped around and secured to the shaft-section bearing the grapple. This spring takes the place of the weight 27, used for forcing down the grapple of the other fender previously described and operates substantially in the same way. The grip of the grapple upon an object is tightened in the modified form of fender, like also in the other form, by means of a pawl-and-ratchet locking device consisting of a fixed wheel or disk 41, having teeth 42 on its periphery, that are adapted to be engaged by a weighted pawl 43. One such wheel or disk 41 is secured to each section of rock-shaft B in the manner indicated in Fig. 12, and the pawl 43, carried by the grapple-arm, is pivoted to it in such a way as to become engaged with the teeth 42 when said arm is swung down. The weight 62 of the pawl 43 is applied to said pawl by being suspended from a lever 63, forming an extension thereof, and is a substitute for the spring 44, applied to the pawl, hereinbefore described as being used with the grapple of the other form of fender.

The supplementary mechanism used in the modified form of my fender to keep either of the shaft-sections B looked after the fender has been sprung consists of a spring-pressed dog N, pivoted to a side bar 6 and arranged to engage a notch or hole 46 in a collar 47 on a shaft-section B whenever such shaft-section is rocked by the'force of the springs 49, applied to its arms 50. The spring 64 of the dog N keeps it in engagement with the collar 47, thereby steadying the shaft B and coacting with the springs 49 in keeping the apron up on it, so the apron and the body thereon will not oscillate unduly. The dog N and its brake on the collar 47 of the shaft B whenthe latter is turning, the tension of the spring 64 being such as to cause the dog N to bear progressively on the collar 47 and stop it with the shaft B at the exact place required to engage the notch 46, thereby insuring the safe, accurate, and timely locking of the rock-shaft.

The operation of my fender will be readily inferred from the foregoing description. It is substantially the same for either form of the fender and is as follows: The rock-shaft or sections of rock-shaft B are first turned to bring the same into the position represented in either of Figs. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15 in order in one case to have the weights 10 up and in the other case the springs 49 stretched out, as shown in said figures, and the said shaft or sections of said shaft are locked in that position through the instrumentality of the special mechanism provided for the purpose in each case. We then have the apron or aprons A hanging down in place to meet a body or obstruction, and there is se cured the weight or spring power whereby to force said apron or aprons forward and upward when the rock-shaft or a section of rockshaft B is unlocked. We also have in the apron or aprons contacting with either the catch G or the key 54 the necessary means for unlocking said special mechanism,as hereinbefore set forth. Next the form of grapple H that has been adopted is brought into the required position and the proper stop applied thereto to keep the same away from the apron or aprons either back or up, according to the kind of grapple. In the fender first above described the grapple or the several pairs of grapples,whatever is the number used,'will be thrown back, and the stop or stops to check the same are applied as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8. In the other fender herein described the grapple or grapples will be raised up and the stop or stops thereto belonging applied as in Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14. Either of said grapples is thus made ready to reach for and grasp a body that may chance to be in the fenders way. If it has been arranged to release either form of said grapples upon the meeting of a body or obstruction by means of a trigger mechanism,-such mechanism will be connected with the grapple-stop substantially in the manner indicated in said Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8. If no trigger mechanism is made use of with either of said grapples, the adjacent apron will be made to subserve the same purpose by placing the grapple-stop under its control substantially as pointed out by said Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14. Lastly, the pawland-ratchet locking device for either form of grapple and the supplementary locking or brake and. locking mechanism for the rockshaft are adjusted and the fender is set ready for action. Now when a body is met the first part of the fender to act is the grapple, the same being released by operation of either trigger or apron, as above explained. One grapple, or a pair of grapples, or two or more single grapples, or two or several pairs of grapples will thus be released, according to the manner in which myinvention is applied and used. Either form of grapple will close upon or toward the apron below it, as indi cated in Figs. 3 and 13, and catch the body in such a way that it cannot escape, but will remain caught between said grapple and the apron thereunder. It is possible that part of the body will be caught by one grapple or a pair of grapples and some other part of the body by another grapple or pair of grapples, and two or several grapples may work at the same time or at different times. Vhatever may be, the body will be securely held, and therefore will not be hurled away nor run over nor dragged under the wheels of the moving car to which the fender is attached. No sooner is the body taken hold of by a grapple than the apron under it, which has been swung back in the meanwhile by the impact of the body, operates to unlock the rock-shaft carrying said apron, and in turn the said rockshaft, moved by the weight or spring power thereto applied, operates to swing the apron forward and upward and with it lifts the body clear off the track, so that with the combined action of the grapple and apron a person happening to fall or lie in the way of the movin g car provided with the fender is picked up from the ground and saved from being run over and mangled or killed. The pawland-ratchet locking device for the grapple comes into an operative position from the moment said grapple is released in the manner already explained, and so does the supplementary locking mechanism or brake and locking mechanism as soon as the shaft or a shaft-section B is rocked.

Figs. 16 to 20 illustrate .how my fender can be equipped with supplementary mechanism whereby it will be enabled to disconnect automatically a car from its motive power and, furthermore, bring it to a full stop by applying the car-brakes whenever the fender is sprung, thus guarding against failure 011 thepart of the driver, gripman, or motorman to do so in time, whether the same be due to inattention, slowness, excitement, or incompetency. Figs. 16, 17, and 1S showsuch mechanism of the sort here referred to as is applicable to a cable-car and Figs. 19 and 20 mechanism of the same sort suitable for an electric car.

Speaking first of a cable-car and referring to Figs. 16, 17, and 18, aforesaid, a simple and effective way of adapting the fender when it is sprung to throw the grip off the cable and check the cars further progress is to fasten a chain to the end of a bar secured to the shaft Bforinstance, one of the weighted bars 1.1, which rock said shaft-and thence passing said chain over guide-pulleys 66 to attach itto the lower arm of a bell-crank or angular lever 67, pivoted to one side of the grip-lever 68, the upper arm of the lever 67 hearing againstthe under side of a stop or collar (39, provided on the lifting-rod 70 of the grip-lever pawl 71, that usually engages the teeth 72 of the quadrant or fixed rack 73, and the lower arm of said lever (37 having a lateral projection 74, arranged to come into contact with and press on the rear edge of said grip-lever when the chain 65 is pulled forward. Enough slack is to be given such chain to have it remain inoperative so long as the fender is at rest; but if of the proper length it will be seen that the chain 0'5 will do effective work immediately after the fender is sprung, for then the bar 11 swings down and pulling down at the same time on said chain causes it to draw forward the lower arm of the angular lever 07, thereby lifting the pawl to free the grip-lever, and subsequently throwing said grip-lever also forward to release the grip on the cable. A similar arrangement of bar, pulley, and chain connected with the rockshaft and brake-lever will likewise operate to put on the brakes and stop the momentum of the car simultaneously with the throwing of the grip off the cable. Such an arrangement need not be illustrated here, as the same involves at most a change in the position of one of the pulleys on which the chain is made to run, the brake-lever being made to work usually in a direction opposite to that in which the grip-lever works. The action of the fender on either the grip-lever or the brakelever is practically instantaneous, and consequently quicker than could be expected from the driver or gripman, especially under such circumstances. Any bar located substantially like the bar 11 and similarly secured to the shaft or to a section of the shaft B will serve for drawing the chain 65, whether the said bar is made to rock the shaft or section of shaft or is rocked thereby. The application of such a bar to either form of my fender will be easily understood, though illustrated in connection with only one form of said fender.

Now, referring to Figs. 19 and 20, it will be found here again that a simple chain 65, tied to and arranged to be pulled down by a bar 11, projected rearwardly from a rock-shaft or section of rock-shaft B, forming part of a fender applied to an electric car, can very quickly bring about the stoppage of such a car merely by cutting off the current from its motor. The chain 65 need only be passed over one or more guide-pulleys 66 and thence wound upon and fastened to a drum 75 on a shaft 76, journaled in suitable bearings, as at 77, and connected by miter-gears 78 and 79 to the controller-spindle S0, to which the handle or crank 81 is applied. By properly adjusting the chain 05 it will not affect the movements of the controller so long as the fender remains undisturbed; but when the fender is sprung the said chain will cause the shaft 76, geared with the spindle 80, to turn, and consequently operate to reverse the controller, thus stopping the motor and the car. The brakes of the electric car, if worked from the fender, will be applied in the same way as has been indicated when speaking of the cable-car.

Either form of my fender above described may be fitted, if desired, with additional mechanism for ringing an alarm-bell whenever said fender is sprung, said mechanism being made, applied, and operating substantially like that above described for stopping a car provided with said fender. An alarmbell would be particularly useful where the fender is so placed as to be out of sight-for instance, in front of a locomotive-especially on a dark and stormy night, when the fender could be sprung without the engine-driver noticing it.

In order to prevent a body that would top-.

ple over the upper part of the fender from falling onto the weights or springs and other mechanism located in the rear of the rockshaft, especially if the same is placed low down, 1 may add to my said fender a net that would extend from some point back of the grapples to the forward part of the car and in which the body would be received when falling over; but this, however, is not an indispensable part of my invention, and my fender may be used with or without a net, as desired.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a fender, a shaft extending across the end of the car, an apron loosely suspended thereon at its upper edge, and means to move the apron forward and upward, combined with grapples which are arranged at the top of the fender and at an angle thereto, and suitable means for operating the grapples whereby when the fender is moved forward and upward at its lower edge, the grapples are caused to close horizontally at the top edge of the fender, substantially as shown.

2. In a fender, the combination of a shaft, an apron suspended therefrom, one or more grapples pivotally connected with said shaft, means to swing the grapple or grapples oppositely to said apron, a locking mechanism ar ranged to hold the grapple or grapples in operative position, and means connected to said mechanism to actuate the same upon the fender meeting a body or obstruction, substantially as specified.

3. In a fender, the combination of a shaft, means to rock the same, an apron suspended from said shaft, a locking device adapted to hold the shaft and operating to release it when a body or obstruction is met by the apron, one or more self-closing grapples and suitable stops for holding them in operative position, and means to free said grapples from their stops while the apron meets the body or obstruction, substantially as specified.

4. In a fender, the combination of a shaft and suitable supporting frame therefor, means to rock said shaft, a loosely-swinging apron, a locking device adapted to engage and hold the rock-shaft but also operating to release it when the apron meets a body or 0bstruction, and arms adapted to throw the apron forward and upward upon the release of the rock-shaft, substantially as specified.

5. In a fender, the combination of an apron arranged to meet a body or obstruction, a

grapple, a suitable shaft therefor, means to close said grapple over the body or obstruction to keep the same on the apron, and a pawl-and-ratchet locking device to maintain the grapple in its closed position, substantially as specified.

6. In a fender, the combination of a rockshaft, an apron thereon, a weight on said shaft tending to turn the same so as to carry the apron forward and upward, a locking mechanism to prevent the shaft from turning and allow the apron to remain normally in a vertical position, and a catch contacting with the apron and operating to unlock the rockshaft when the fender meets a body or obstruction, substantially as specified.

7. In a fender, the combination of-a suitable apron, a shaft, one or more self-closing grapples pivotally connected with said shaft and working oppositely to said apron, one or more stops for keeping said grapples normally in an open position, and one or more triggers arranged to release said grapples, substantially as specified.

8. In a fender, the combination of an apron, a shaft, a grapple pivotally attached to said shaft and arranged to close oppositely to said apron, a ratchet-wheel, and a pawl carried by said grapple and adapted to maintain it in a closed position by engagement with the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, substantially as specified.

9. In a fender, the combination of a shaft, an apron suspended therefrom, means to rock said shaft and carry said apron forward and upward, self-closing grapples swinging about said shaft as the same is being rocked, and a self-lockin g device arranged to keep the rockshaft in a fixed position with the apron up, after the same has been moved, substantially as specified.

10. In a fender,the combination of an apron, a rock-shaft adapted to carry said apron forward and upward, and a spring-pressed dog resting on a suitable bearing-surface of said shaft and adapted to engage with a suitable notch or hole therein, the said dog acting as a brake on the shaft and operating to lock it when the apron has reached the required position, substantially as specified.

11. A fender having two or more arms or grapples constructed and arranged to pass over one another in opening and closing substantially as herein disclosed.

IIO

12. A fender having one or more rock-shafts each combined with one or more grapples adapted to grasp a body or obstruction, hold it against the same, and automatically swing therewith in a vertical are of a circle, substantially as specified.

13. A fender having a rock-shaft and an apron depending therefrom arranged to meet a body or obstruction, combined with one or more grapples adapted to swing automatically in a vertical are of a circle together with said rock-shaft and grasp the body or obstruction oppositely to the apron, substantially as specified.

14. In a fender the combination of a shaft, an apron suspended therefrom arranged to meet a body or obstruction, one or more grapples adapted to grasp the body or obstruction oppositely to said apron, means to rock said shaft to move the apron forward and upward, and lockin g mechanism to hold back said rockshaft in operative position and to release the same when a body or obstruction is met by the apron, substantially as specified.

15. A fender having a pair of arms that pass over one another in opening and closing, each arm being independently actuated, substantially as herein disclosed.

16. A fender having arms adapted to pass over one another in opening and closing, combined with means for automatically raising a body or obstruction grasped thereby.

17. A fender having two or more pairs of grapples so arranged that one grapple in a pair will lie in a plane above that of the adjoining grapple in another pair when held back and will pass its companion grapple upon being sprung, substantially as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

, VALENTINE PFAFF.

In presence of A. II. STE. MARIE, HENRY P. lmcoU. 

